If you think something is usually on the line when the United States Men’s National Team takes on Ghana, you’d be right. The USMNT and Black Stars are gearing up for their fifth meeting with three of the previous four coming in back-to-back World Cups. Aside from the CONCACAF teams, this Ghana team is the one the United States has played the most often, but that’s also the biggest difference between the meetings, as the two teams haven’t been tied since 2017. The United States has won their last two matches against the Black Stars by a scoreline of 2-1, but each time they have met has been a memorable affair and all decided by just one goal on each occasion.
Of these meetings, which was the best clash between the two nations? From Clint Dempsy goals to John Anthony Brooks winners, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
4. United States 2, Ghana 1: 2017
With three of the matches taking place at the World Cup, even though the USMNT won this friendly, they must be ranked slightly lower in the box. Dom Dwyer opened the scoring before Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty just before half-time. Gyan made up for the miss, but not before Kellyn Acosta grabbed the eventual game-winning goal, putting his team up 2–0 and giving them the cushion to withstand Gyan’s goal. Acosta is the only member of that USMNT squad still in the national team’s general squad, while Ghana has undergone a complete turnover in personnel. It’s a race that shows how much things can change in just six years.
3. Ghana 2, United States 1: 2006
The legend began in 2006 as Ghana booked their place in the knockout stages with a win over the United States in their first World Cup. Little did the United States know that Ghana would see not only many more World Cups, but also many more meetings with the USMNT from that stage. Ghana struck quickly, taking the lead just 22 minutes into the match thanks to a terrific gift from Claudio Reyna. Clint Dempsey equalized in the 43rd minute. After Oguchi Onyewu conceded a penalty in first-half stoppage time, Stephan Appiah didn’t miss from the spot. The second half would be comical but Ghana eventually held on to secure victory.
2. Ghana 2, United States 1: 2010
Another World Cup encounter with more upset for the United States as Ghana sent the USMNT home for the second time in a row, this time in the knockout stages. Again Ghana scored the opening goal as Kevin Prince Boateng beat his side’s earlier efforts, needing only five minutes to open the scoring. In the second half, Ghana looked to be in more defensive shape, but it came back to bite them as John Mensah brought down Dempsey to give the USMNT a penalty which Landon Donovan would score. That would be enough to force extra time where Gyan would again be their nemesis, scoring just three minutes before stoppage time to give Ghana the win to qualify for the World Cup.
1. United States 2, Ghana 1: 2014
It was pretty easy to guess what the top score for the USMNT would be in this international rivalry, and it’s one of their most memorable performances at the 2014 World Cup, the third consecutive tournament these two teams have met. Blink and you might have missed Dempsey’s goal in the opening minutes. After that it looked like the USMNT were in trouble, with players dropping like flies. Aron Johannsson and Matt Besler were forced off through injury and it looked like it would be more of the same between the two as Andre Ayew scored in the 82nd minute to level the match. But that’s when it’s clear that the World Cup is where legends are made. After an 86th-minute corner kick from Graham Zousi, a young John Brooks — who was only in the game because of an injury to Besler — rose above the defense and headed the ball into the back of the net to put the Americans on the mark. win. That, combined with a draw against Portugal, was enough to see the USMNT through the group stage and into the round of 16 of the tournament where they would be knocked out in dramatic fashion by Belgium.
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